§ 8. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary for India whether two vessels belonging to British-Indian subjects were recently the subjects of piratical attacks 1780 in the Persian Gulf, the tindal of one of the vessels being slain by the pirates, and both vessels being robbed and ransacked; whether the perpetrators of this outrage have been brought to justice; and whether the peace, which has hitherto prevailed in the Persian Gulf, is no longer maintained?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts)I am not aware of any such incident in the Persian Gulf. But a piracy bearing a general resemblance to that described in the question occurred in November last near Basra, which is not in the Persian Gulf. The acting Vali of Basra, who has seriously exerted himself to check piracy on the river, has paid compensation for the cash and effects stolen, and several of the robbers have been caught.